Google plans manufacturing its own smartphone

the debit card and my driver's license. But I'm confident that those, too, will someday disappear.There might be a twist in the offing when it comes to Google-branded smartphones. According to a report in The Information, "In its continuing effort to make Android more of a robust competitor to Apple, Google is once again debating whether to build an Android phone."

While Google designs, markets and even sells Nexus range of devices (through its Play Store), the production and assembly of these devices is carried out by Google’s partner OEMs or original equipment makers. Barring a few instances, most of the Nexus devices don’t come with the branding of telecom carriers and feature the stock version of Android with all Google apps and services pre-loaded and have an unlocked bootloader.

The Nexus devices are also the first ones to receive Android software updates which makes them an attractive proposition for Android fans (not just developers) in addition to the absence of bloatware and custom UI skins.So far, the company has partnered with HTC, Samsung, LG, Motorola and Huawei on Nexus smartphones.

However, it seems Google is eyeing greater control over your smartphone. As The Information says, "People who work at Google say there is debate and discussion about the topic right now—as there is with myriad ideas at “Googphabet,” one of the many internal nicknames for the new Alphabet-Google corporate structure. But the fact the issue is on the table at all is noteworthy and shows how Google’s Android strategy remains in flux."

For the first time since 2010, Google recently unveiled two new Nexus smartphones at the same time, one featuring a 5.2-inch display and the other sporting a 5.7-inch screen. At an event in San Francisco in September, Google announced that it has partnered with Huawei and LG to make the new Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P smartphones, respectively.

In 2012, Google acquired Motorola in $12.4 billion deal, however, in 2014 it sold the company to Lenovo.

Google retained ownership of the bulk of Motorola’s patent portfolio, with Lenovo having an option to license them. As for Lenovo, the deal gave the Chinese giant a foothold into the US market.